On Thursday, June 26, 2014, the US Supreme Court ruled that the 35 foot buffer zone surrounding an abortion clinic in Massachusetts was in violation of the right to free speech. Chief Justice Roberts delivered the opinion, which can be found in its entirety here:

NOW has been heavily involved in fighting for a buffer zone in Englewood -- and we have had success, as many of you know. Englewood currently has an ordinance calling for an 8 foot buffer zone at all medical facilities. While we do not know for sure how the SCOTUS ruling will impact Englewood, we know we will continue to fight to protect the rights of women in our communities. We are heartened by the response of Englewood's attorney (see The Record article below), who expressed that he is “confident the local ordinance could withstand a legal challenge and did not foresee the city halting its enforcement.”

This is an excellent analysis of what this ruling means for other buffer zones:Read Analysis Here

This article deals with the potential impact on the Metropolitan Medical Associates clinic in Englewood, NJ, where NNJ NOW has worked diligently to help protect the patients. As you know, NNJ NOW was instrumental in getting the Englewood buffer zone law put into effect, and we are not done yet!Read About Impact Here

NOW is hopeful that Englewood ordinance will hold up in the face of challenges – there are important differences between the 8 foot buffer zone in Englewood, and the 35 foot buffer zone the court struck down. No matter what happens, NOW will remain diligent in fighting for the rights of women. Now, as always, we need your support and donations in any amount. If you are up for renewal, please renew. If you are still an at- large member, please renew in our Morris County chapter (NJ200). For those of you who can, donations are always welcome.

New Jersey has a Web site, www.registerready.nj.gov, that allows residents with special needs and their families, friends and associates an opportunity to provide information to emergency response agencies, so emergency responders can better plan to serve them in a disaster or other emergency.

More information about NJ Register Ready can be obtained by calling the county's Aging and Disability Resource Connection at 1-800-564-4656 or the Morris County Office of Emergency Management at 973-829-8600